Timothy Whitener
According to Sheriff Clark Millsap, investigators have arrested Timothy James Whitener, 32, of Cartersville in connection with the murder.
Whitener was arrested Monday afternoon by Bartow County Sheriff's Office investigators and deputies for several outstanding warrants and suspicion of other crimes, including burglaries and thefts. According to the jail report, Whitener was charged Monday with theft by taking, two counts of financial transaction card fraud, possession of arms by convicted felons and obstruction of an officer.
The officers located Whitener near 31 Weems Spur and he attempted to flee on foot from them. Whitener was caught after he was tasered as he ran away.
Upon arrest, Whitener was found to be in possession of a pistol. Thompson, who was an acquaintance of Whitener's, was reported missing to the officers at the scene of his arrest. Deputies remained in the area searching for her.
Shortly after 9 p.m. Monday, her body was located behind a residence on Weems Spur. The GBI crime lab confirmed Thompson was killed by a gunshot wound. Investigators were able to charge Whitener after their investigation.
According to residents in the area Tuesday morning, Whitener had threatened to kill Thompson prior to Monday's incident.
Whitener is currently booked in at the Bartow County jail on charges of murder, concealing a death, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, two counts of obstruction, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and other unrelated charges. He will await a bond hearing in Bartow County Superior Court for the charges.